Are you open about the fact you self-harm, or do you hide it?

I only tell the people I trust, and the people I know who won't judge me. There are a lot of people who think you're "Crazy" or you do it just for "attention seeking". That isn't true at all, and it can be very frustrating when people say things like this. That's the reason why I don't tell everybody that I self-harm. Itsn't bad to tell people, as long as you trust them. Of course, itsn't good to hide it, because self-harm can be dangerous sometimes

At this point in my life, having stopped harming, I am open about my history of self-harm. Because my scars are not ever going to be invisible, I decided I would not restrict myself to a life of being fully covered 24/7. My process to being open about myself harm took many years, but by now I am comfortable (most of the time) wearing whatever is appropriate for the weather. I was first open to my mother. Then to a counselor. Four years later I was open to my mother again and this time I didn't resume hiding it completely. We began discussing it in general terms every once in a while for a year or two. Our discussions became more up-to-date when I needed her help getting medical attention at one point, and we are even more open now. I also told my sister and other mother around that time. I told two friends as well that year in college. The next year I told my grandparents. That fall I began wearing short sleeves and in essence came out to everyone. There are still situations in which I cover up: work, professional settings, new settings I'm nervous about, any new-looking scars are covered, and if I am around children. I hope this is helpful. I know how hard it is to talk about and be open about self-harm. I do think though, that over time and through recovery, it is common and very possible for people to feel more open and comfortable about acknowledging to others (everyone, or a small group) what we've gone through and experienced and struggled with and recovered from.

At first, I hid it as much as I could. Now that I no longer have fresh cuts on my arms, I don't bother hiding it unless going for important interviews. It's because I want the people around me to know that self-harm was part of my life. If you're not okay with it, then don't be my friend. Don't even talk to me. It's also a way I use to tell strangers who self-harm that, hey, you're not alone.

A few of my friends know. I've never spoke to my parents about it, and I don't really want to either. I know that's not positive, but it scares me a lot. So, I'd say I do hide mine to an extent.

I tend to hide any self-harm I do - it's something private that I do and it doesn't concern other people about whether or why that I do it, and them knowing doesn't change anything.

I am proud to say that I am three months clean form self harm. It doesn't sound like much, but that's three months that I haven't even thought about picking up a blade and harming myself. When I self harmed I was very secretive about it. I didn't want anyone to know, and even today, I don't want anyone to know. I don't tell people I did it, and I think the only people who know are my close family (mom, dad, brother) who only know because my mom noticed my scars. (This incident happened a few years ago). Since I promised my family that I quit self harming a couple of years ago when they found out, I didn't tell them that I sometimes had the urges to cut. I don't feel like it is a topic I want to discuss with anyone.

I no longer self-harm, but when I did, I hid it. If people seen my cuts, they'd always give me dirty looks or make me feel worse because I hurt myself. Sometimes my family would see it and ask me why and I could never tell them because my life was just a giant secret. I don't think they cared enough or they would have tried to stop me from doing it. My scars faded a lot now, so they aren't as noticeable, I always did it on my thighs so no one could see it unless it was summer. When I see people with fresh cuts or scars, I just want to tell them I'm there for them, but I never say anything.

I used to self-harm. I hid it, but I know now that I shouldn't have. There were so many people around me who could have and would have gladly helped me.

I hide it. I don't want people to tell me I'm an 'attention whore' or an 'emotional freak'. I don't want them to think of a diffrent me whilst I'm still the same. I don't want them to treat me diffrently and show fake empathy. I'm scared if people will know they'll only make it worse by giving me dirty looks and starting with bullying again. It's just too private for meand if people know they'll use my self harming as a weakness.

When I used to self harm, I would definitely hide it. My parents would freak if they saw scars on my body. I would self harm in places like my thighs and hips. I've been clean for quite a long time and now I feel like I can talk about the fact i self harmed. I won't shout it out to the world or anything but when I'm asked I don't hesitate to say I did because now i've overcome it.